The Effects of Drones on Photo Journalism

Drones have changed the way we capture the world around us. They have improved our perspective on breathtaking landscapes and scenes, made certain jobs safer and have found their way into hands of professionals and amateurs alike. It is no surprise that they have also had a significant impact on journalism — specifically, photo journalism. What used to be known as a more ‘boots to the ground’ kind of occupation and has now rapidly shifted into drones in the air. Journalists have always been able to report or share a story we wouldn’t otherwise have access to and now, drones are gathering the information that journalists didn’t previously have access to. The results are improvements in not just live streaming instances — although that is has been of great help there — but also with capturing areas we haven’t previously been able to see. We all have benefited from drone photography in some way or another, but I can’t think of an occupation — other than professional photographers, of course — that it has enhanced the most than journalism.

Capturing nature

Never before have we gotten such a close look at the world around us. Drones have captured some stunning images of areas that previously were too dangerous for a human photographer to go. Not only does this include aerial videos of hundreds of Nile crocodiles feasting on a fresh kill, but also a drone flying down into a volcano in the Tanna island of Vanuatu. Drones were also used in what is considered one of the first mass drone journalist feat in Nepal; after an earthquake devastated the hard to navigate mountainous land. Drones were used to create a 3D model of the damage done by the natural disaster. Drones have been used to get images of forest fires, avalanches, lands-slides, and other natural occurrences that have always been life threatening to any human journalist. We have learned a lot about the world around us by diving deeper into these dangerous, natural instances.

Now reporting from the sky — our drone

Live streaming is a recent phenomenon. It’s truly amazing that anybody with a data/Wi-Fi connection can live stream video with their phone or camera. Hook that data capable camera to a drone and you get something even more amazing. News stations and freelance journalists alike have utilized live-streaming drones to keep the rest of the general public in the know at all times. Live-streaming drones have given us access to some powerful footage, whether that be during war-time operations or hurricane recovery stories. Live streaming drones are also used to film live sporting events; giving us angles and shots that make the competition all the more thrilling. The possibilities with live streaming drones in journalism are nearly endless, and I expect to see more of their use in the future.

Where are we headed?

With the rise of readily available aerial photography — due to the rapid advances in drone technology — it’s hard to imagine where we’ll even be in one year, let alone ten. I think we can come to expect the ever increasing role drones will have in journalism, and other areas of our lives where using a human is dangerous. I look forward to the results other journalists can create by being creative with reporting on more hard to reach wildlife areas and landscapes that make our world so interesting and beautiful. I am sure that the rise of using drones in journalism is only just beginning.